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    SATA drivers for clean install of Windows 7 on Series 9 (NP900X4C-A01US)

    Discussion in 'Samsung' started by Yogi76, Aug 10, 2014.

  1. Yogi76

    Yogi76 Newbie

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    I need to clean install Windows 7 on an NP900X4C-A01US laptop. The SanDisk SSD on the laptop has failed completely. It won't even read on an mSATA-to-USB adapter. I have replaced it with a Crucial M500 SSD, but the Windows 7 setup program cannot see the SSD. I need the correct F6 drivers for the SATA controller in the laptop. I have tried using the "Chipset Drivers" from the Samsung website as well as the generic Intel F6 drivers for Intel Rapid Storage Technology, but neither would let Windows 7 setup see the SSD.

    Just as a test, I went through a Windows 8.1 setup, and that setup program could see the SSD correctly and installed fine. So, obviously, the SSD is installed and working. However, the user wants Windows 7, not Windows 8/8.1. Where can I find the correct F6 drivers for the SATA controller that will allow me to clean install Windows 7.
     
    Yogi76, Aug 10, 2014
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  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Try unzipping one of the floppy zip files here onto a flash drive put in the USB 2.0 port (left side). Then point to the files using F6 during Windows installation.

    There may be further guidance in Intel's instructions?

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 10, 2014
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  3. Yogi76

    Yogi76 Newbie

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    Yes, I tried those drivers, but the Windows 7 setup routine still couldn't see the SSD. I convinced the user to accept Windows 8.1, so the problem isn't urgent anymore. However, I am a little disappointed that Samsung doesn't better support standard Windows installation methods in favor of their proprietary restore partition.
     
    Yogi76, Aug 12, 2014
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  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    It's not Samsung's fault that Windows 7 doesn't know about the newer chipsets.

    However, using F6 to point to the floppy driver should work but you may need to (i) use the USB 2.0 port and (ii) make sure that the Fast Boot is turned off in the BIOS. The Windows 7 I'm currently using on my NP900X4C was a clean installation onto a new SSD most probably using the recovery media provided with the computer (the core Windows files are dated 20 March 2011 and the label says Windows 7 SP1). I can't remember whether I had to use F6 to load a driver. I did the installation last January so I can't remember the details. It must have been uneventful because there is nothing in the main NP900X4C thread.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 12, 2014
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